One Piece Driveshaft

[TJC]

Gotta admit an interesting topic and a concern for many Ranger owners.
Once in a while, not always I feel a shutter/vibration under the truck-not always
Sometimes it does it sometimes not
Honestly it does it less when the truck is hot and up to operating temp.
I live with it because like I said it's not all the time.
I really believe it's a transmission issue- Of course I could be wrong, absolutely
I will say that the last time I was under the truck looking around I noticed that the rubber center bearing on the driveshaft felt very soft-maybe my opinion. Maybe designed that way.
Even my Old-timer mechanic buddy said the same. But maybe it was designed that way?
For now I have no intentions to mess with the drivetrain-having total confidence in Ford engineering with this Ranger. I feel 100% the original driveshaft won't self-destruct
Sorry Guys-and Gals but I'm with Phil, who I respect a lot for his knowledge and I won't futz with the driveshaft. I understand this Gen Ranger is his baby.
Good luck to Everybody!!

I respect your opinion

-T

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[Bsthroop]

Gotta admit an interesting topic and a concern for many Ranger owners.
Once in a while, not always I feel a shutter/vibration under the truck-not always
Sometimes it does it sometimes not
Honestly it does it less when the truck is hot and up to operating temp.
I live with it because like I said it's not all the time.
I really believe it's a transmission issue- Of course I could be wrong, absolutely
I will say that the last time I was under the truck looking around I noticed that the rubber center bearing on the driveshaft felt very soft-maybe my opinion. Maybe designed that way.
Even my Old-timer mechanic buddy said the same. But maybe it was designed that way?
For now I have no intentions to mess with the drivetrain-having total confidence in Ford engineering with this Ranger. I feel 100% the original driveshaft won't self-destruct
Sorry Guys-and Gals but I'm with Phil, who I respect a lot for his knowledge and I won't futz with the driveshaft. I understand this Gen Ranger is his baby.
Good luck to Everybody!!

Good choice not to mess with yours since it is not a problem, not everyone has that luxury.

 

[BS67]

like the driveshaft?..........dislike the driveshaft?..........let's all have a beer!

 

[CO2Ranger]

like the driveshaft?..........dislike the driveshaft?..........let's all have a beer!

As long as you're buying ?

 

[TJC]

Gotta admit an interesting topic and a concern for many Ranger owners.
Once in a while, not always I feel a shutter/vibration under the truck-not always
Sometimes it does it sometimes not
Honestly it does it less when the truck is hot and up to operating temp.

I have something similar when I baby the throttle to achieve high miles per gallon. In my case it is the engine lugging a bit when the transmission shifts to a higher gear. I do not notice it when I use a normal throttle when accelerating. I think maybe the 2.3L with little to no boost struggles with achieving the desired torque and stumbles a little bit.

IMHO, Ford tries hard to keep the engine in the optimal fuel mileage range vs optimal torque range.

In my case this is not the same as my "Ford No Cost Option Shudder" or, "FNCOS" for ease of spelling.

-T

 

[BS67]

As long as you're buying ?

C'mon over!..........my buy!

 

[NotBudule]

Well mine is doing it some , not bad (got worse after this thread though , inception ? ) but its there , so i crawl under there to check things out and grab the driveshaft at the center bearing and "holy crap! " thats a LOT of movement with almost no resistance to it , the rubber feels like squishy foam , the video of the floppy driveshaft makes sense now ... my addled brain immediately wanted to drive shims in there or fill it with something that would cure hard or see if anybody made a stiffer housing , anyway , read through a bunch of stuff and it seams pretty common to have too soft rubber causing shudder , lots of info on an Audi forum , and i know these wont fit the Ranger , but since these exist , makes me think that carrier is the problem ...

The stock center support bearing carrier is designed to reduce NVH to the cabin by loosely holding the center bearing with a flimsy rubber bushing. During launches and shifts, the driveshaft is allowed to travel off-center, decreasing throttle response and causing oscillations through the drivetrain. As they age, the carrier rubber sags and dry rots, ruining the driveshaft alignment. Fix or prevent this common issue with JXB Performance's Driveshaft Center Support Bearing Upgrade! JXB utilizes a simple but extremely effective 2-piece design which allows you to install this upgrade and replace bushings with ease. The stock center support carrier is simply cut away, allowing the JXB bushings to "clamp" down on the driveshaft bearing and hold the driveshaft securely in place, maintaining driveshaft alignment at all times.

 

[navsnipe]

Well mine is doing it some , not bad (got worse after this thread though , inception ? ) but its there , so i crawl under there to check things out and grab the driveshaft at the center bearing and "holy crap! " thats a LOT of movement with almost no resistance to it , the rubber feels like squishy foam , the video of the floppy driveshaft makes sense now ... my addled brain immediately wanted to drive shims in there or fill it with something that would cure hard or see if anybody made a stiffer housing , anyway , read through a bunch of stuff and it seams pretty common to have too soft rubber causing shudder , lots of info on an Audi forum , and i know these wont fit the Ranger , but since these exist , makes me think that carrier is the problem ...

I had polyurethane inserts on my rear transaxle bushings on two previous vehicles, 2006 Audi A3 and 2013 VW GTI. The soft rubber would allow an oscillation that would exacerbate wheel hop on spirited take-offs. The inserts helped tame this but did increase the vibes transmitted to the car.

The Ranger has very soft center bearing support material. Quandog's video really captures this. I had posted earlier in this thread about hearing Toyota Tacoma owners having the same problems and injecting silicone caulk in the gap on the center bearing. If you're feeling adventurous it may be an option.

 

[NotBudule]

If you're feeling adventurous it may be an option.

I just might , whats the worst that could happen ?

 

[RedDakooter05]

I have the issue as well, though I've been considering swapping the oem center bearing for aftermarket.

But I have other issues with this thing so not overly motivated atm.

 

[navsnipe]

I have the issue as well, though I've been considering swapping the oem center bearing for aftermarket.

But I have other issues with this thing so not overly motivated atm.

Have you found an aftermarket center bearing assembly for the Ranger? Please share if you have.

 

[Muddy Fenders]

Isnt the problem being that this bearing is built into the shaft and it's not easy, or near impossible, to just swap out the bearing?
you need some skills to cut it up, weld it up and rebalance it.

 

[NotBudule]

Usually, I believe the bearing is pressed on , but the bracket and rubber may come off , perhaps somebody who traded theirs out for a one piece could chime in ? I think I could repack mine with twizzlers and do a better job than they did ...

 

[navsnipe]

Isnt the problem being that this bearing is built into the shaft and it's not easy, or near impossible, to just swap out the bearing?
you need some skills to cut it up, weld it up and rebalance it.

There is a nut that holds the u-joint at the center bearing. Removing it and pressing the shaft out will enable you to remove the center bearing. See the attachment.

 

[Muddy Fenders]

Interesting....so why has Ford not done this to many with the bearing issue squeaking?
most if not all I believe have said they were given full assembly shafts for replacement?

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